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Most people who watch TV crime dramas have seen episodes where the police apprehend suspects and advise them of their right to remain silent and the right to have an attorney present during questioning. Viewers may or may not be aware of the history associated with this staple of crime show dialogue.

In 1966, the U.S. Supreme Court enshrined into law an act commonly referred to as the “Miranda Rights” law. The law was enacted in the aftermath of an arrest in Arizona of a man named Ernesto Arturo Miranda. Police charged Miranda with robbing, kidnapping and raping a mentally handicapped young woman. Miranda claimed that he was not advised of his “right to remain silent” and his right to have an attorney present prior to being questioned by police. As a result of not being aware of these rights, he inadvertently self-criminated himself during police interrogation. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed that his constitutional rights were, in fact, violated by police.

As a conservative, it is readily apparent to me that our rights under the First Amendment are also being violated and are under continual assault by those on the left. I see almost daily examples where conservatism is denounced and/or vilified!

Liberals in this country seem to have created their own version of the Miranda Rights as they apply to conservatives and their First Amendment freedom of speech rights under the Constitution.

Their version goes something like this: “We have the right to ensure that you remain silent. Anything you attempt to say that conflicts with our views will not be tolerated. We have the right to threaten you with physical harm, disrupt your appearances at any and all venues, and to create unrest whenever and wherever you attempt to espouse your views. We, on the other hand, may say anything we please!”

Cases in point:

Like many of her colleagues, Madonna is having a very difficult time adjusting to the fact that liberals no longer control the reins of power in this country! On Jan. 22, during the Women’s March on Washington, she called for “blowing up the White House.” Was that an example of “free speech” or was it the equivalent of “yelling fire” in a crowded theater? I guess that depends on whether the statement is made by a liberal or a conservative. It is also worth mentioning that women who adopted a “pro-life” stance were specifically told they were not welcome at this event!

On Feb. 22, Maxine Waters, a black, female, liberal Democrat congresswoman from California, referred to the Trump Cabinet as “a bunch of scum bags” on MSNBC’s “All In” with Chris Hayes. She also reiterated calls for the impeachment of Donald Trump and said the president was worse than Hitler!

These remarks were largely ignored by the “main stream media.”

Imagine the public outcry from all corners of the liberal life if President Trump or one of his Cabinet made comparable remarks about the Black Caucus! “The View” would have dedicated a month’s worth of shows to condemn the person who made the statement! Major news network anchors would have dedicated countless hours to decrying the “racism” of the perpetrator! Not so with Maxine Waters! She’s just exercising her right to free speech!

Let’s not overlook the recent events at the bastion of democracy, the University of California Berkley. Sadly, this institution was once synonymous with protection of the right to free speech!

Feb. 2: “Alt right” speaker Milo Yiannopolous was scheduled to speak on campus. His speech was canceled due to rioters — many of whom were dressed in black and wearing ski masks — who caused over a hundred thousand dollars in property damage, threatened physical harm to the would-be speaker and started several fires at the speaking venue. One might ask why campus police were instructed to “stand down” during this mayhem!

April 19: Conservative columnist Ann Coulter was informed that her scheduled speech at the university was canceled due to “security concerns.” Ya think? Based on the Yiannopolous fiasco, I’d like to commend the university on its ability to understate the obvious! Coulter was offered an alternate day to speak, a date when students wouldn’t be on campus!

Sounds like Berkley liberals use the “If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it, does it make a sound?” approach to conservative thinking!

In “The Friends of Voltaire,” Evelyn Beatrice Hall wrote the phrase: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

Many of today’s liberals misinterpret this quote to mean “I disapprove of what you say and I’ll beat you to death if you say it.”

We now live in a country where free speech is shouted down by liberals at every opportunity. The only point of view they are willing to tolerate is their own! There is no room for compromise or rational dialogue. We are right! You are wrong! Enough said!

They commonly refer to conservatives as Nazis, Hitler and fascists!

Here’s a news flash for you! We’re not the ones burning the books! YOU ARE!

William C. WagnerFrackville

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